Stick confection machine



\ July 15, 1958 M. B. RASMUSSON STICK CONFECTION MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet1- Filed June 6, 1955 INVENTOR.

Arron [K5 July 15, 1958 M. B. RAsMussoN STICK CONFEICTION MACHINE FiledJune 6, 1955 9 Shets-Sheet g 1 INVENTOR Mmw i. 675M550 Arne/vi)? M. B.RASMUSSON 2,842,921

s'rxcx CONFECTION MACHINE July 15, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 6,1955 IZIZHE July 15, 1958 'M. B. RASMUSSON ,842,921

STICK CONFECTION MACHINE T Filed June 6, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG-'5 m4F a I YINVENTOR. ,C'IG 7 Maw 5 evi/vw'saw YW (MM July 15, 1958 FiledJune 6, 1955 M. B. RASMUSSON 2,842,921 STICK CONFECTION MACHINE 9Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG-9 INVENTOR. N424 w 51,. flesmassa/v 32b ZW 49/25 9Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 6, 1955 INVENTOR. Mil/m fiflawz/ssm W 4%;

Illlill'llv 1 M. B. RASMUSSON I STICK CONFECTION MACHINE July 15, 1958 9Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 6, 1955 ITTGP/Vihi July 15, 1958 M. B.RASMUSSON 2,842,921" I STICK CONFECTION MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FiledJune 6, 1955 IG-2a INVENTOR. Mil/1V i. xAwMz/ssolv United ates PatentoMy invention relates to mechanism for handling confections on sticks sothat such confections are provided with an enclosed wrapping forprotecting them against contamination and for presenting them in anattractive form for sale. Stick confections usually employ acentralmember which is ultimately discarded and which is normally a woodenstrip or stick on which a confection such as ice cream or water ice isfrozen. Often the confection includes a coating such as chocolate aroundthe frozen material. It is customary'to manufacture such confections inmachines of the sort shown in my Patent 2,535,231. During manufacturing,the sticks are held in stick holders, usually twenty-four sticks beingregularly arranged in a stick holder so that they 'depend therefrom. Thesticks with the stick holder are carried into juxtaposition withappropriate molds wherein the material to be frozen is placedsurrounding the sticks. After freezing, there is a thawing step so thatthe sticks and the confections frozen thereto are withdrawn from themolds. Subsequently, the stick confections are released from the stickholder for further handling. Various sorts of stick holders are utilizedbut all of them embody some means for tightly grippingthe sticks inpredetermined locations and all are pro-- vided with releasing handlesor trips so that the gripped sticks are all simultaneously released uponappropriate actuation.

The confections, when so released, are available for further handlingand for sale just as they are. In many instances it has been founddesirable to place the confec tions wholly or partly into envelopes orbags for distribution and sale. More recently, it has been deemedadvisable to place the confection including its stick entirely within anenvelope and then to close the envelope substantially against alloutside contaminants in order to maintain the stick confection in ahighly sanitary and presentable fashion for sale. a It is therefore anobject of my invention to provide an improved stick. confection machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a stick confection machinehaving a relatively high capacity to turn out a plurality of stickconfections in a given time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stick confection machinein which the stick confections are handled gently and positively inorder that damage or breakage and destruction of the stick confectionsduring their course through the machine will be minimized.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stick confection machinein which the stick confections are put into envelopes and are sealedtherein before discharge from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for facilitatinginspection of the stick confections at various points of advance throughthe machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stick confection machinehaving means for sealing or closing the envelopes in which the stickconfections are contained.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an envelopeclosure mechanism effective at relatively high capacities and speeds forsimultaneously effecting closure of a number of stick confectionenvelopes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a stick confectionmachine in which the sealing mechanism can be utilized or not as localcircumstances require.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a stick confectionmachine having an effective sealing device for all of the envelopespresented to it despite irregularities therein or irregularities in thepositioning of stick confections therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stick confection machinewhich is arranged. in such fashion as to be readily maintainable in asanitary and presentable condition at all times.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a stick confectionmachine which works substantially automatically and with only smallsupervision by an observer.

Other objects of the invention, together with the foregoing, areattained in the embodiments of the device described in the accompanyingdescription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is for the most part a front elevation of a stick confectionmachine constructed in accordance with the invention, parts of thestructure being broken away to show the interior arrangement and partsof adjacent mechanisms which co-operate with the stick confectionmachine being sufiiciently illustrated to show the environment.

Figure 2 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line22 of Figure 1, with portions of the view being broken away.

Figure 3 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line33 of Figure 2, various adjacent portions of the mechanism being omittedto clarify the disclosure.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross section, the planes of which areindicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2, parts of the structure beingremoved and broken away to reduce the size of the figure. 1 v

Figure 5 is a cross section similar to Figure 2 but showing the carriagein an advanced position and showing part of the bagging structure incross section.

Figure 6 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is across section comparable to Figure 6 but showing the partsin a different position. 7

Figure 8 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a cross section, the planes of which are indicated by thelines 99 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a cross section, the plane of which is shown by the line1010 of Figure 1, with parts of the mechanism broken away to reduce thefigure size.

Figure .11 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by theline 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a detailed cross section, the plane of which is indicatedby the line 1212 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a cross section of a part of the sealing structure, theplane of section being indicated by the line 13-13 of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is a cross section in detail, the plane of which is indicatedby the line 14-14 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by theline 15--15 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a cross section comparable to Figure 15 but showing amodified form of sealer jaw.

Figure 17 is a plan of the structure illustrated in Figurel6.

Figure 18 is a side elevation somewhat comparable to Figure but showinga modified form of sealer jaw actuator. I t

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18 but showing the parts in adifferent position.

Figure 20 is a view somewhat comparable to Figure 13 and is a crosssection, the plane of which is indicated by the line 2020 of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is somewhat comparable to Figure 9 and is a cross secionthrough the form ofsealer jaw and attendant mechanism illustrated inFigures 18, 19 and 20. In the preferred form of stick confectionmachine, there is preferably provided a frame 31 having suitablesupports 32 on a floor 33 and including an enclosing cabinet 34 locatedso as to be supplied by a supply conveyor 36. rails 37 and a conveyorchain 38 having lugs 39 thereon adapted to engage a convenient part of astick holder 41. Lugs 42 on the stick holder are slidable along therails 38. Firmly gripped are depending sticks 43 frozen into confections44 hanging below the stick holder.

As the conveyor chain 38 advances, the lugs 39 propel the stick holderssuccessively into a central position on the frame 31, the lug 39disengaging from a stick holder just as that stick holder is centrallylocated. In that position, the stick holder is supported on rails 46forming part of a lowering frame 47 connected to the piston rod 48 of adouble acting pneumatic chamber 49. Suitable connections extend from thechamber to a source of compressed air and are provided with appropriatecontrols.

When the stick holder is in the central position illustrated in Figure1, the chamber mechanism 49 is actuated to lower the frame work 47 andall of the confections 44 are simultaneously positioned withinbottomless compartments 51 formed in a horizontally reciprocablecarriage 52. This is supported on appropriate rollers 53 on the frame31. The carriage 52 has the same number of bottomless compartments asthere are confections 44 and freely receives the lowered confections. Inits rearmost position (Figure 2) the carriage 52 partially overlies asupporting plate 54 mounted on the frame 31 so as to engage or hold upall but the forward row of confections. While the supporting plate canextend under all the confections, if desired, it has been found suitableto terminate Included in the supply conveyor are parallel.

the support plate between the leading and next succeeding row ofconfections.

The stroke of the piston rod 48 issuch that in the lowermost position ofthe framed], the overlying confections 44 are deposited gently upontheplate 54 to avoid damage to their shape and to their coating, if any.When the confections are in their lowermost position, they are releasedfrom the stick holder 41. That is accomplished by the operation of apneumatic chamber 56 having a plunger 57. When suitably actuated, theplunger descends against a trip 58 forming part of the standard stickholder and depresses the trip so that the stick holder jaws release allof the sticks 43 simultaneously. Subsequently, the plunger 57 iswithdrawn and restored to its original position and the chamber 49 isactuated so that the rod 48 lifts the frame 47. The just dischargedstick holder is then brought back into its original location in registrywith the rails 38. A succeeding stick holder being adporting locationfor the confections 54 in the leading row, those confections whenreleased by the trip 58 on the stick holder fall directly into a row ofchutes. 61 for further handling. The first row of confections is thusadvanced in the machine without the necessity of operating the carriage5'2.i The next successive rows,,how-

ever, must be advanced in turn over the support plate 54 and dischargedfrom the forward edge thereof to follow the first row into the chutes61. For that purpose the carriage 52 is appropriately reciprocated fromits rearmost extreme position, as shown in Figure 2, toward a forwardextreme position, an intermediate location being illustrated in Figure5.

The carriage 52 is provided with a plurality of lugs 62 projecting intothe path of rotation of comparable lugs 63 on a rotating sector 64 faston a cross shaft 66. As the shaft 66 rotates, the leading lug 63 abutsthe leading lug 62 and causes the carriage 52 to advance one stepwhereupon the next successive lug 63 engages the next successive lug 62and so on until the carriage is moved to its foremost position. Eachdegree of advance of the carriage is effective to advance a successiverow of confections over the edge of the support plate 52 to dischargethe corresponding row of confections into the chutes 61. When thecarriage has arrived at its forward extreme position, a roller 67 on anarm 68 fast on the shaft 66 engages a depending leg 69 on the carriage52 and restores the carriage to-its rearmost position ready for asubsequent-cycle.

The synchronization of this portion of the machine is assured byappropriate mechanism. A common drive motor 71 is mountedon the frame 31within the cabinet 34 and is connected by various drive chains to theinterrelated parts. For example, as shown in Figure l, the motor isconnected by a chain 72' to a cross shaft 73 itself joined by a chain 74to an angle drive 76 connected to the conveyor 36 so that the lugs 39are appropriately synchronized and deliver the stick holders in propertimed sequence. Also driven from the shaft 73 but at the opposite endthereof is a chain 77 (Figures 2 and 10) which rotates the shaft 66. Inthis fashion, the advance and retreat of the carriage 52 aresynchronized with the operation of the conveyor 36.

When the carriage 52 returns to its rearmost position or substantiallythereto, it is effective to engage a switch lever 78 actuating a switch79-. This is a safety interlock switchconnected in series with switches81 and 82 (Figure 3) respectively controlling the electro-magneticallyactuated. valves (not shown) for the cylinder 49 and for the chamber 56.The switch 81 is actuated by a lever 83 in the path of a sector 84 fixedon the shaft 66 and is actuated slightly before the engagement of theleading lug63 with theleading lug 62. Shortly after the chamber 49 hasbeen actuated fully to lower the frame 47, a lug 86 at an appropriatelocation on the sector 84 and rotatable also with the shaft 66 engages alever 87 controlling the operation of the switch 82. Thus, when thechamber 49 is fully extended and the elevator frame 47 is in itslowermost position, the chamber 56 is actuated to release the stickholder. That actuation is momentary and occurs only so long as it takesthe lug 86 to rotate over the spring returned lever-87. Similarly, thepassage of the sector 84 over the lever 83 reverses the switch 81 sothat the effect of the chamber 49 is reversed and the elevator frame 47is lifted into its original position.

As so far described, therefore, there is an automatic mechanism fortransferring the confections from a stick holder into a plurality ofside by side chutes 61 with groups of the confections and theircontained sticks entering the chutes 61 in a succession or series ofrows.

Since all of the confections in a row are similarly treated as they fallgravitationally through their enclosing chutes 61, a description of oneof them applies equally to the others. A dropping confection 44 (Figure5) is confined by the chute 61 but falls freely into a "baggingmechanism. In this location, there is provided a supply 91 of envelopesor bags usually of a transparent or semitransparent wax paper materialor plastic or glassine." Each bag is generally rectangular in shape andis expansibleto enclose thethickuess, and width of the confection.Preferably each bag is also of a suitable length to enclose not only theedible portion of the confection but also the stick portion 43 as well.The closure margins of the envelope can 'be brought into abutment witheach other beyond the end of the enclosed stick 43 and are usuallysubstantially straight or rectilinear and are provided in most caseswith some sort of sealing material, such as wax or a thermo-plastic orother adhesive effective when pressed into contact and sometimes of amaterial specially activated by an increased temperature. The nature andconstruction of the particular envelope varies markedly with custom anddemand in different parts of the countryand from time to time anddepending upon the nature and style of the stick confection to beenclosed, but'the mechanism is well adapted for use with all ofthe usualcommercial envelopes or bags 91.

These are preferably stacked or supported on curved rails 92 carried bycross bars 93 supported on the frame 31' of the machine and are urgedtoward a forward position by a traveller including a heavy wheel 94adapted to ride on and roll down-the inclined rails 92. The travellerincludes a a frame 96 having a trailing stabilizing portion 97 inengagement with the rails 92 and a forward presser plate 98 in abutmentwith the rearmost bag of the supply 91. The traveller provides aconstant tendency to urge the envelopes 91 forward.

The group of envelopes rests against a nozzle 99 immediately alongsidethe adjacent chute 61 and extending from an air manifold 101. Supplyingthe manifold is a blower 102 (Figure 1) driven by a suitable electricmotor 103 and furnishing a blast of air to the various nozzles 99. Theeffect of the air blast is to blow open the foremost bag 104 of thesupply 91, as shown in Figure 5, so that the open envelope underlies theadjacent chute 61. As

the confection 44 falls through the chute, it enters into the openedenvelope 104.

To assist in opening the envelope and to make sure that it is openenough to receive the confection 44 easily,

each chute 61 at its lower opening is provided with a pair of springreturned fingers 106. These lie in the path of the falling confectionand are deflected, as shown in Figure 7, about their support rods 107 toenter readily into a partially opened envelope and to expand it and holdit in substantially a rectangular cross section shape. The confection 44then falls exactly into the envelope 104. As it passes them, the fingers106 are returned to their position, as shown in Figure 6, for subsequentactuation.

The impact of the falling confection 44 within the envelope 104 and thelocation of the confection then with respect to the rails 92 is such asto dislodge the enveloped confection from the forward end of the railsonto a retainer bar 108 (Figure 5). The support or retainer bar 108 iseccentric with respect to a square shaft 109 having journals mounted inthe framework of the machine for rotation. In its upper position thesupport bar underlies all of therow of confections which have just beenbagged.

The end of the square shaft 109 beyond its journals in the frame of themachine carries a gear wheel'lll (Figures 10, 11 and 12). A rack 1 12engages the gear 111 and is heldin operating position by an idler 113.The rack is at the end of a reciprocating rod 114 returned by a spring116 and adjustably engaging a tappet 117 guided in a block 118 securedto the frame 31 of the machine. A roller 119 at the other end of the rod114 runs on a duplex cam 121 having lobes 122 thereon in appropriatelocations. The cam is fast on the shaft 73 and so is drivensynchronously with'the remaining part of the structure.

The location of the lobes 122 is such that after the retainer bar 108'has received a row of, enveloped stick confections inits position shownin full lines in Figures 5 and 9, it is rotated for substantially aquarter of a 6 turn into the dotted line position shown in Figure 9 andthus releases the previously supported enveloped confections so thatthey fall by gravity onto a transfer belt 123 (Figures 9 and 10). Thetransfer belt, as shown in Fig- 1 ure 9, receives the enveloped stickconfections in fiat position and permits ready inspection of the productat that point.

In the event an imperfect confection has been received in the machine orin the event an imperfect bag is discharged or if the confection is notproperly enveloped, those defects can readily be observed while theconfections are on the transfer belt 123 and any defective ones canreadily be removed by an operator. Furthermore, if the envelopes are notto be fully closed but are commercial in their open form, theconfections can be removed from the machine by an extension of thetransfer belt 123 without any further operation.

In the preferred instance, there is provided a mechanism for closing thefilled envelopes tightly against contamination. For that reason, theframe 31 is extended to support a sealing mechanism, generallydesignated 126 and especially illustrated in Figures 9, 10, 13, 14 and15. The transfer belt 123 is preferably driven by chains 127 and 128from the shaft 73 and is effective to advance the enveloped confectionsand discharge them over its leading portion onto an inclined plate 129arranged in close juxtaposition to a stop 131, the plate and stopdefining a V.

The plate 129 and the stop 131 together abut two sides at least of theenveloped confection in supporting relationship thereto and not onlysupport the confection but locate it in such fashion that the envelopeclosure margins are situated between a pair of jaws 132 and 133, theenveloped confection having passed completely between such jaws in theiropen position. The framework 31 of the machine, as shown in Figure 14,serves as a support for a cross bar 134 to the leading or upper edge ofwhich the jaw 133 is appropriately secured. This jaw preferably has aserrated forward surface 136 and is hollow and of metal to receive anelectric heating element 137 connected by appropriate conductors to asource of electricity so that heated.

In some instances wherein the envelopes are such as to be sealed withoutheat, the circuit to the heater 137 can I 'be open or the heater itselfcan be entirely eliminated but for most instances, it is desired to havethe heater because heat sealing is deemed preferable. Also, the serratededges 136 can be sharp enough to perforate the envelope materialsomewhat to afford an interlocking action of the closure margins of theenvelope, although in some instances this is not desired and merely acorrugated effect on the envelope is adequate. In any event, theserrations 136 when the jaws are closed are opposite a rubber face strip138 on the upper or forward jaw 132. Preferably, the location of thelower jaw 133 is approximately tangent to the curvature of the transferbelt '123 and is approximately co-planar with the support plate 129 sothat an enveloped confection lying against the stop 131 on the plate 129has its closure margins lying closely adjacent the serrations 136.

In order to effectuate the closure and seal, the upper jaw 132 is movedinto a close relationship with the lower jaw 133- To that end, the upperjaw 132 is connected as part of a reciprocating frame 141 having sidepieces slidably engaging rails 142 (Figure 14) in the frame 31 and alsohaving a cross bar 143. The cross bar is fas-. tened to the cylinder 144of a double acting pneumatically ,expansible chamber 146 suitably.supplied at its opposite ends with actuating air and enclosing a piston147 and piston rod 148 joined firmly to the bar 134, When the chamber isactuated in one direction the jaws are moved apart, as shown in all ofthe figures whereas when the chamber is actuated in the oppositedirection, the

the serrated surface 136 is thoroughly movable frame 141 is lowered sothat the movable upper jaw 132 is closely approached to the lower jaw.

The pressure exerted between the jaws upon the engaged envelopes isdependent upon the air pressure utilized in the cylinder 144. In thisway, a careful regulation of pressure ensures that just the desiredamount of pressure is exerted upon the closure margins of the envelopesto effectuate a proper closure. In the event there are irregularities,such as a partially projecting stick 43 or a fragment of coatingmaterial or the like within the closure margins of the envelope, therubber strip 138 yields sufliciently so that the envelope isappropriately sealed without damage to the stick confection or to themachine.

While the form of jaws shown particularly in Figure 15 is acceptable formost uses, an alternative form, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, issometimes utilized. In that instance, the upper jaw 151 is substantiallyunaltered, being provided with a rubber face 152, although the jaw issomewhat wider than before. The lower jaw 153 is preferably comprised ofwhat amounts to a helicallythreaded pair of rods 154 and 156 each ofwhich is hollow to receive electric heaters 157 and each of which isrotatably clamped at its ends by a pinch bolt 158 in the frame bar 134.With this arrangement the threads on the rods 156 and 157 can be madequite sharp in order to pierce or perforate the envelope marginsmechanically. The material of the envelopes, however, eventually dullsthe sharp threads. In that instance the pinch bolts 158 can be slightlyrotated to expose a new sharp surface. When the entire periphery of therods has become dull, they can be removed and replaced. This arrangementis effective to provide two rows of close mechanical interlocks and ofheat sealing of the envelopes if the material of the envelopes or thelocal requirements make that advisable.

With either sort ofjaw, the motion of the actuating chamber 146 iscontrolled by an air valve 159 (Figure mounted on the framework of themachine. The valve is suitably supplied with air and is connected to theopposite ends of the cylinder 144. The valve is actuated by a rollerlever 161 which extends into the path of duplex cams 162 projecting fromthe face of the cam disc 121 on the shaft 73 so that at an appropriatepoint in the synchronized operation of the machine, and after theenveloped confections are positioned against the stop 131 and aresupported on the plate 129, the previously open jaws areclosed. The cams162 operate in proper timed sequence on the valve 159 which effectivelyactuates the chamber 146. The extent of each of the cams 162 is suchthat after the jaws 132 and 133 have been held together for anappropriate length of time to effectuate the mechanical interlocking andthe heat sealing of the envelope closure margins, the valve 159 isreversed. This reverses the pressure'of the chamber 146 and the jaws 132and 133 are restored to their open position for the subsequent receptionof a succeeding series or row of enveloped confections derived from thetransfer belt 123.

After the jaws 132 and 133 return from their closed to their openposition, the then sealed and enveloped confections are advanced. Forthat reason, the plate 129 (Figure 9) adjacent its upper end is mountedon a cross shaft 163 journaled in the frame 31 and at its lower end isengaged by the piston 164 of a pneumatically expansible chamber 166. Avalve 167 controls the operation of the chamber 166 and has alatch-lever actuator 168 in the path of a cam 169 mounted on the movableframe 143. As the chamber 146 is actuated to open or spread the jaws 132and 133 after the sealing of the envelopes, the cam 169 rides over thelatch-lever 168 and momentarily actuates the valve 167 so that chamber166 is expanded and rotates the support plate 129 about the axis of thecross shaft 163 and lifts the plate 129 sothat the=confections thereoncan slide over the upper end of the abutting plate or stop plate 131.The closure of the valve 167 is only momentary and the plate 129 returnsby gravity to its former position and the cam 169 passes back over thelatch-lever 168 without causing an actuation on the return movement.

The confections which are gravitationally discharged from the plate 129by sliding over the stop plate 131 fall onto a discharge belt 171 forfurther disposition, for example, for travel to a packaging station.Conveniently, the belt 171 is driven by a chain 172 in synchronism withthe belt 123.

There is thus provided a stick confection machine for completely andautomatically processing a stick confection from a stick holder throughan enveloping station into and through a closure and heat sealingstation and finally to discharge for packaging or other disposition.

In some instances, it is preferred that the closure and heat sealingjaws be mechanically rather than pneumatically operated. A constructionfor such purposes is shown in Figures 18 to 21, inclusive. In thisinstance, the enveloped confections released by the support bar 108instead of falling onto a transfer belt 123, fall between an upper jaw176' and a lower jaw 177 onto a support plate 178 and against a stop bar179, the support plate and the stop bar defining a V. The function ofthe plate 178 is identical in many respects to that of the plate 129while the function of the stop bar 179 is in many respects identical tothat of the stop 131. Each of the jaws 176 and 177 is hollow and isprovided with a heater 181. The upper jaw 176 is mounted on a cross bar182 slidable in a slot 183 in the frame 31 and is connected at itsopposite ends with end bars 184 through a spring cushion mechanism 185.The end bars 184 abut against pairs of springs 186, effective to urgethe jaws 176 away from the jaw 177.

The end bars 184 are connected to cam straps 187 carrying rollers 188riding on cams 189 on the shaft 73. Lobes 191 on the cams 189 areeffective in certain parts of the rotational cycle of the shaft 73 tobear against the rollers 188 and to move the jaw 176 against the urgencyof the springs 186 toward the other jaw 177. Simultaneously, the otherlobes 191 on the cam 189 are also effective against rollers 192 on camfollowers 193 joined to a cross bar 194 carrying the jaw 177 to displace that jaw toward the jaw 176. The motion of the side members 193 isresisted by the same springs 186 that opposed the approaching motion ofthe jaw 176. This is arranged by brackets 196 projecting from the sidemembers 193 and engaging. the ends of the springs 186. In this fashion,there is provided a synchronized mechanical arrangement for propellingthe jaws 176 and 177 toward and away from each other with a cushionedmotion, the springs being effective to regulate the pressure and tocompensate for irregularities in the substantially meeting position ofthe jaws 176 and 177.

Since the support plate 178 (Figure 21) is stationary, the stop member179 is cyclically made effective to release the confections just afterthe envelopes have been sealed by the meeting of the jaws. About thetime the jaws recede sufiiciently, a cam 197 (Figures 18 and 19) havinglobes 198 thereon is effective on a follower 199 to translate thefollower in a block 201 on the frame 31. The follower, when displaced,is effective to compress a return spring 202 bearing against a bracket203 and to reciprocate a rack 204 at its end. This rack is in engagementwith a pinion 206 and is held in position by a roller 207. The pinion206 is at the journaled end of a shaft 208 bearing in the frame 31 andbetween its ends having a square portion209 carrying the stop plate 179.When the cam lobe 198 displaces the rack 204, the plate 179 is movedfrom its full line position in Figure 21 into its dotted line positionin that figure and permits the sealed confections to fall by slidingalong the-plate-178 and into a resting position on a discharge belt 211suitably'driven to carry the confections to an appropriate point forfurther handling.

In this form of the invention, also, there is provided a means foreifectuating a mechanical closure, and if desired, a heat seal of theclosure margins of the envelope within which the stick confection isenclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means on said framefor supporting a stick holder, means for advancing a stick holder ontosaid supporting means, means for lowering said supporting means and saidstick holder into releasing position, means for releasing stickconfections from said holder, a compartmental bottomless carriagemounted on said frame for movement between two extreme positions, one ofsaid positions being in the path of said released stick confections, asupport plate fixed on said frame and underlying said carriage in stickconfection supporting relationship but only in said one position of saidcarriage, a plurality of upright chutes on said frame and underlyingsaid carriage in a location between said extreme positions for receivingstick confections dropped from said plate during the movement of saidcarriage thereover, means on said frame for enclosing each of said stickconfections dropping through said chutes in an envelope having adjacentclosure margins disposed beyond the end of the stick in said confection,means on said frame for temporarily arresting said dropping envelopedstick confections by engagement with the confection portion thereof,means on said frame for heating and pressing together said closuremargins of said arrested envelope, and means on said frame for drivingin synchronism said lowering means and said releasing means and saidcarriage and said arresting means and said heating and pressing means.

2. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means on said framefor dropping a stick confection, means on said frame for enclosing saiddropping stick confection in an envelope having adjacent closuremargins, means on said frame for arresting said enveloped dropping stickconfection in an inclined position including an inclined bottom supportand an inclined side support, and means on said frame moving parallel tosaid bottom support for heating and pressing together said closuremargins.

3. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means on said framefor introducing a stick confection into an envelope having adjacentclosure margins, means for dropping said enveloped stick confection to aclosure station, means for arresting the drop of said enveloped stickconfection at said station, means at said station for heating andpressing together and then releasing said closure margins While saidstick confection is arrested, and means for further dropping saidenveloped stick confection after said closure margins are released.

4. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, a pair of mutuallyapproachable heated jaws on said frame, means for moving said jawstoward and away from each other on an inclined path, means on said framefor introducing a stick confection into an envelope h'aving adjacentclosure margins, means for dropping said enveloped stick confectionbetween said jaws when said jaws are away from each other, means forarresting said enveloped stick confection in an inclined position withsaid adjacent closure margins inclined between said jaws, and means fordropping said enveloped stick confection out of said inclined positionas said jaws are moving away from each other.

5. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means on said frameincluding an inclined bottom and an inclined side portion forming aninclined support for a stick confection in an envelope having adjacentclosure margins projecting beyond said support, a pair of mutuallyapproachable heated jaws on said frame, means for moving said jawstoward each other and against said project- 10 ing margins and also awayfrom each other, and means on said frame for removing said inclinedbottom portion to drop said enveloped stick confection from saidsupport.

6. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means on said frameabutting and supporting twosides of a stick confection in an envelopehaving adjacent closure margins, a pair of heated jaws, means mountingsaid jaws on said frame for movement against and away from said closuremargins, and means on said frame for moving at least one of saidabutting means out of supporting relationship with said enveloped stickconfection during movement of said jaws away from said closure margins.

7. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means for supportingan open flexible bag on said frame, said bag having scalable edgessurrounding the open portion thereof, means on said frame for dropping astick confection into said open bag with the stick within said bag andsimultaneously dislodging said bag from said supporting means to dropwith said stick confection, means on said frame for engaging the bottomand an adjacent side of said bag to support the stick confection thereinin an inclined arrested position, means engaging said ba'g while in saidposition for sealing said scalable edges and then disengaging said bag,and means for removing one of said engaging means from engagement withsaid stick confection after said edes are sealed.

8. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, means for supportingan open flexible bag on said frame, said bag having scalable edgessurrounding the open portion thereof, means on said frame for dropping astick confection into said bag and dislodging said bag to drop fartherwith said stick confection therein, means for stopping said bag withsaid stick confection therein in a predetermined position includingmembers bearing the weight of the bottom and an adjacent side of saidstick confection, means momentarily engaging said open portion of saidbag in said predetermined position for sealing said bag, and means forshifting one of said members out of weight bearing position after themomentary operation of said sealing means.

9. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, a pair of supportingmembers on said frame both arranged in weight supporting positions,means for dropping onto said supporting members a bag containing a stickconfection and having scalable edges, means on said frame and movingsubstantially parallel with one of said supporting members for sealingsaid edges by momentary engagement therewith, and means effective aftersaid momentary engagement for moving said one of said supporting membersout of said weight supporting position.

10. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, a pair of supportingmembers on said frame arranged in a V to support the bottom and one sideof a bag containing a stick confection, means for dropping a bagcontaining a stick confection to lodge in said V of said supportingmembers, means for sealing said bag while lodged in said V, and meansfor moving one of said supporting members to drop therefrom said sealedbag containing said stick confection.

11. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, a bottom support anda side support arranged in a V on said frame, means for releasing aplurality of bags containing stick confections to drop in substantiallyparallel paths to lodge in side by side positions supported on thebottom and one side by said bottom support and said side support, meansfor simultaneously sealing all of said bags while so lodged, and meansfor moving one of said supports to drop therefrom all of said sealedbags containing stick confections.

12. A stick confection machine comprising a frame, a bottom support anda side support arranged in a V on said frame, means for releasing atapproximately the same time a plurality of bags containing stickconfections References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS Pease June 30, 1925 Harmon Nov. 8, 1938 Cordrey et a1. May 2,1939 Canales Oct. 18, 1955

